An Envoy Comes to Camelot
The kingdom of Rheged in the Old North was one of the kingdoms on the Isle that very few wanted to deal with, whether it be as allies or enemies. Not even Odin, Bayard or the Sarrum, though they would never admit to themselves, dared to rile the King who ruled the rather mysterious kingdom of Rheged. The previous King, Gorleil, had been a shrewd political operator and had a ruthless streak from a mile off. The story goes, he had his first Queen killed after discovering that she was having an affair with a squire, though no one – not even the spies belonging to other Monarchs – could ever prove it.
But, apparently, someone in the Queen's family felt like they didn't need hard evidence to convict the King of his crime. Though King Gorleil never found out who, the vengeance they wrought, was brought upon the head of the only son he had with his deceased wife: Gorlagon. Tapping into an old family cursed that languished in the blood of Gorleil's line, the unknown sorcerer tied Gorlagon's humanity to a magical sapling. With the correct wording of the curse, Gorlagon's human body and human mind would be replaced by the body and mind of a wolf.
This secret was kept extraordinarily tight-lipped by the Royal family, including Gorleil's second Queen and the children the couple had together. Gorleil trusted his second wife with the secret. However, as many believed, Gorlagon did not trust his stepmother or his half-siblings for one minute. When his father died and he took the throne, the first act Gorlagon did was to fortify the sapling at his Royal Court at Strathclyde. After that, the new King started to marry off his three sisters very quickly and then sending his two half-brothers off into battles that they frankly could not win, hoping they would fall in battle.
Two of them eventually did.
There was none who dared to challenge the King on any matter, and the Monarchs of the other kingdoms were left with the ugly truth that they had to deal with Rheged's King because he controlled some of the most lucrative ore mines, had the best fishing and had access to the best furs. To anger Gorlagon could cost them very dearly indeed.
There was one who risked the King's ire, unbeknownst to most: his Queen, Accolon. The couple were odd to most people. While Gorlagon was of a more mature age, though not old by any means or considered undesirable, his wife was young in comparison. Though she played the role of the doting wife to her husband in public, and was mother to his two children, Queen Accolon hid several secrets from Gorlagon. One of which, was that she hated the husband her father forced her to marry, in order to further their own family's standing at Court.
The Queen had grown accustomed to certain oddities in the behaviour of her husband, such as his obsession with a certain sapling in their garden that was walled off, but on one particular occasion, she found the King pacing up and down in his chambers, not looking too happy.
Accolon put on her best sugary smile. "Whatever is the matter, my love? Was the Council being unreasonable again?"
"Our harvest has been terrible this year," the King growled in reply. "If we do not do something soon, our people will starve and then they will be at our gates, baying for blood."
The Queen put on her best look of sympathy. "I am sure that it is not as bad as-"
"It absolutely is, wife!" Gorlagon snapped. "It has gotten to the point that the Council have advised me that we have no choice but turn to one of the kingdom's in the south for their wheat supplies. And there is only one kingdom with enough wheat to help us: Camelot."
Accolon allowed her smile to falter. Camelot could pose more than a problem to her; it was literally the last place, save for the Sarrum's kingdom, that she would want relations with. She swallowed a little. "And what do your oh so wise Councillors suggest, my Lord?" she inquired cautiously.
"What do you think?" the King snarled. "They advise us to offer a formal alliance with wheat exportation being one of the main clauses. That means I have to send an envoy to that whelp who calls himself King!"
"That is less than ideal," Accolon was forced to agree. "Then again, desperate times call for desperate measures, my Lord. The people need to be fed – that cannot be avoided or circumvented in any way."
"I know," Gorlagon answered coldly. "It is embarrassing, to ask that child King for help! Plus it will mean having to arrange proper travel routes for my sapling as well as our children in addition to our retinues."
Accolon froze for a moment. "You wish … to take that stupid sapling along?"
Gorlagon glowered at her. "Yes. It is imperative that is comes along. I will not leave that sapling here! I refuse to take any chances with it."
"My dear, it is just a sapling; it will be taken care of," the Queen's brow furrowed a little.
"No!" the King snapped, whirling around, anger and fear bathed in his eyes. "It will come with us and that is that. Not one more word about it, Accolon, do you understand me?"
The Queen scowled. Her jaw set for a moment but she quickly relaxed. "Yes, my Lord."
"Good. Now leave me. I still have some important matters that need attending to," Gorlagon stated dismissively as he went back to his desk and sat down, picking up his quill.
Accolon's jaw clenched again and for once she didn't attempt to disguise her irritation. "When are you ever going to tell me why you are so protective over that blasted plant?"
"That is none of your concern, my Lady," the King answered steely, looking at her with a cold stare. "What is your concern is that our children will need some new travel garments for the journey we are soon to take. That should occupy you more than sufficiently."
Gorlagon looked down once more, and Accolon scoffed quietly. "Very well."
The Queen turned and swept from the room, slamming the door as she left, making herself a promise. She would know the secret of that sapling one way or the other! Even if it meant using the idiot King of Camelot to get it!
###########################################################################
Gadiena noted that the peace at Camelot managed to last for two whole days, following the Knighting Ceremony of the three odd new Knights. In those two days, Gadiena had helped Ettare with some sewing work, accompanied Gaius on his rounds, delivered medicine to some of the nobles and mucked out the horses for Merlin, much to the surprise of some of the Knights and guards.
On one occasion when Gadiena had already started mucking out the horses, she had just managed to clear out the last of the poop-covered hay and was making a start on getting the fresh hay in, when someone cleared their throat. She hadn't meant to nearly jump out of her skin, but she did – much to Gadiena's own embarrassment.
The warlock looked up and glowered at a chuckling Sir Melion, eyes dancing with amusement.
"Apologies, Miss Gadiena. I did not mean to startle you," he stated.
Gadiena recovered quite quickly, and could not help but scowl at him. "Sir Melion," she greeted coolly but civilly. "I assume you have a good reason for being here?"
"I just wanted to see if the rumours were true. That a girl who isn't even a servant is mucking out the King's horses for no pay," the young Knight answered, leaning against the open door of the stable.
Gadiena raised an eyebrow. "I do not see why that is worthy of coming to gawk at me, Sir Melion," the warlock stated as she continued her work. "My cousin has enough on his plate at the moment so if I can help alleviate it a little, I will."
"You really are a strange creature, miss," Melion replied slyly. "You and your cousin both."
Gadiena really did not like his tone at this point.
"I could say the same about you," she retorted easily, straightening ever so slightly, making direct eye contact. "And about your two friends as well."
The jovial expression in the Knight's face diminished somewhat and the tension in the stables suddenly spiked.
"Is that so?" Melion purred.
Gadiena swallowed. Me and my big mouth, she internally kicked herself.
The Knight took a few steps into the stable, eyes on her unblinkingly. "Please. Enlighten me."
Gadiena felt her heart rate spike and her magic began to hum at the unspoken threat that she detected. Before the warlock could do anything stupid in an effort to protect herself, someone else entered the stables.
"What is going on here?" Much to Gadiena's relief, it was Sir Tristan, looking none too happy.
Melion's jaw clenched slightly as he turned around and forced a smile on his face. "Sir Tristan. I was just asking Miss Gadiena here why she is doing a chore that she doesn't even need to do for no reward," he replied silkily.
Tristan ignored him and looked straight to Gadiena. "Everything all right, Gadiena?" he wanted to know.
"Yes," Gadiena kicked herself for sounding more than a little stiff and nervous.
"Are you sure?" Tristan frowned.
Gadiena nodded her head twice, holding onto her fork for extra support. Fortunately for the warlock, Tristan wasn't a complete idiot and he turned to give an accusatory look at Melion, who was still glaring back at him as well.
"Is that all, Sir Tristan?" Melion inquired with a false polite tone.
"Not quite, Sir Melion. Your friends, Sirs Marrok and Biclarel, are looking for you. Apparently they have a training session planned. I suggest you go and meet them, and leave others to their own business," Tristan answered coolly, his tone not offering any room for argumentation.
The young Knight continued to scowl and shoot a dark look at Tristan but did as he was told. Gadiena felt herself able to let go of the breath that she didn't even realise that she had been holding in. Again, Tristan noticed her reaction.
"He didn't do anything?" he wanted to know.
"No," Gadiena reassured.
"If he tries anything, tell me," Tristan told her firmly. "Or tell Merlin so he can tell Arthur."
Gadiena nodded but then she frowned. "I … don't think he wanted to hurt me."
"Perhaps," Tristan's jaw clenched a little. "Either way, I advise you be wary of him, Gadiena. That boy's head is too big for his shoulders and his family is an old noble one. They often think they can get away with anything they do."
Gadiena didn't reply; she concentrated on finishing her work. Tristan insisted on escorting her back to the physician's quarters afterwards and only left once he was certain Gaius or Merlin was there with her. It had shocked her – none had ever shown her that much kindness or concern, except her family. It had stayed with her even during dinner with Gaius, Merlin, and Percival, who had tentatively asked the family if he could join them.
After dinner, Merlin excused himself and Gadiena on the excuse that he needed her help with doing the laundry. However, as soon as the door to Merlin's room was closed, the warlock rounded on his cousin.
"What happened?" Merlin demanded.
"What are you talking about?" Gadiena frowned.
"Tristan. He looked set to duel someone. What happened?" Merlin repeated the question.
Gadiena huffed and shook her head. "Melion … he came to see me while I was mucking out the King's stables. I think he is trying to figure us out."
Merlin caught onto what she was suggesting immediately. "Did he try anything with you?"
"No. Tristan didn't give him the chance," Gadiena answered.
"Good," Merlin sighed in relief. "Next time, if you feel unsafe, get one of the horses to kick him or something," he grinned.
Gadiena scoffed and then chuckled. "Come on. Let's actually get some laundry done before Uncle Gaius asks too many questions."
The morning of the third day after the new Knights' arrival, it started the same as the two previous days for Merlin and Gadiena: get up, have breakfast, get dressed and get breakfast to the King and Queen. However, the rest of the day did not go as neither Gadiena, nor Merlin, predicted. The cousins had just prepared the Royal couple's outfits and their bath, with the King and Queen planning on taking a morning ride in the woods, when there was suddenly a knock at the door.
Immediately, all four inhabitants of the room stood to attention.
"Come in!" the King ordered. The door opened quite quickly, and in came Sir Leon and Sir Mordred, both of them looking worried, followed by Ettare. The King noticed this immediately because he frowned at them. "Whatever is the matter? What has happened?"
"Sire, an envoy has come," Sir Leon informed. "From the Court of Strathclyde."
This made Arthur's face drain rather quickly; the cousins exchanged a quick look of surprise. "Did he say what he wanted?" he demanded.
"He wishes to deliver a message from his King to you, Sire," Sir Mordred replied. "Further than that he would not say."
Gadiena felt herself tense. No … no! No!
Cousin? She felt Merlin's voice in her mind.
It's started, was all Gadiena felt comfortable to answer.
Food and watered wine almost went flying as the King jumped out of his bed. Gadiena, Leon and Mordred soon found themselves evicted from the Royal bedchambers and awaiting the King and Queen while they both got dressed in a hurry. Only Merlin and Ettare were allowed to remain.
"Well, there goes the peace," Gadiena found herself commenting.
"Indeed," Leon wryly agreed.
Arthur and Guinevere soon emerged from their chambers with Merlin and Ettare in hot pursuit.
"Arthur, I still don't understand what has gotten you so worked up!" Merlin was blabbing as the servants and Knights followed their King and Queen. "We get sent envoys all the time and in all those cases you act as though you're about to face another of Geoffrey's history lessons. What has gotten into you?"
"Merlin, this envoy is not any old envoy," Arthur stated firmly as he ensured they all kept maintaining a very brisk march. "This envoy is sent from King Gorlagon."
"Am I supposed to know who that is?" Merlin questioned.
"He is the King of Rheged, Merlin. A kingdom that, truthfully, yes, we would prefer not to have dealings with considering Gorlagon's … temperament," Arthur swallowed. "Not even my father dared to cross him or his father. But most of our good ores and fish come from Rheged, so we have little choice in the matter."
"Do you have any idea what the King could want?" was Merlin's next question.
"No, Merlin, I do not, which is why I am more than a little apprehensive!"
"You mean, scared?"
"I am not scared, Merlin!"
"So we are running for no reason then?"
"We are not running!"
"Oh no, we are just walking very, very quickly like we're getting chased by angry wild boars," Merlin could not resist sassing.
Arthur turned quite red in the face. "Merlin!"
"Cousin, I do not think you should be testing the King unnecessarily," Gadiena decided to intervene when it looked as though there was a possibility that the King could faint because of stress.
"Indeed," the Queen concurred readily with a serene smile. "You can tease the King to your heart's content later, Merlin. For now, we have business to attend to. Unpleasant as it likely may be."
The matter was dropped rather quickly. The Royal family, their servants, Leon and Mordred entered the Throne Room where the nobility, the Knights of the Round Table, Gaius and Knights of Camelot, including Marrok, Biclarel, Melion and Tristan had already gathered. Kneeling already before the dais was a young man dressed in the colours of the kingdom of Rheged. Merlin and Gadiena joined Gaius as the King and Queen stepped up to their thrones, Leon, Mordred and Ettare joining them.
"I hear that you have a message for me from your King," Arthur stated, as he turned to address the envoy.
"That I do, Sire," the young man confirmed, still not looking up. "His Highness, King Gorlagon, sends you, Arthur Pendragon, his warmest greetings. He wishes for me to extend to you his admiration about how well you and Camelot have managed to weather all manners of adversaries and hope that relations between your kingdom and his will improve."
"What does His Highness propose?" Arthur demanded, clearly impatient to get straight to the point.
"His Highness wishes to visit you here in order to discuss an alliance," the envoy looked up for the first time. "Though there was a peace between his father and yours, His Highness wishes to make his and yours more official. For the sake of both of your kingdoms."
"Your king … wishes to come here?" Queen Guinevere was in disbelief, as was many of the Court. "Your king hasn't left his kingdom in years!"
"That much is indeed true, my Lady," the envoy confirmed easily. "But His Highness has seen fit to make an exception on this occasion."
This sent murmurs rippling around the room. Merlin and Gadiena exchanged a look for a moment and then one with Gaius. Arthur kept himself suitably composed. "You must rest here a while before you return. I assure you that Camelot is thrilled at the prospect of hosting your king here."
The envoy bowed as he rose to his feet. "Your Highness is too kind."
"Well, this is highly unusual," Leon muttered.
"King Gorlagon must be after something," Mordred agreed in a low tone.
"The question is, what?" Merlin wondered out loud.
"And why now?" Gadiena added with a frown.
"Indeed," Gaius concurred people filed out of the Throne Room.
"Do you have any idea what King Gorlagon could want, Uncle Gaius?" Gadiena inquired eagerly.
"I'm afraid I don't," the physician replied. "I suppose the answer will come soon enough."
"Can you believe this is happening? Another tedious state visit!" Gwaine exclaimed, joining the group, smirking. "I can already feel the boredom set in because we are required to be on our best behaviour, so who is up for a spot of training before we are forced to put up with the Rhegedian knights as well?"
"I am up for that!" Leon grinned.
"Me too!" Mordred added.
"Always," Percival put in. He then turned to the two covert warlocks. "You two coming as well?"
You up for it, cousin? Merlin asked.
Could be rather fun to show your friends what we are actually capable of, Gadiena answered, smirking a little.
"Sure, we'll come," Merlin answered out loud, causing his friends to light up.
"May we come too?" Marrok asked as he, Biclarel and a rather sulky, irritated Melion joined the group as well.
"Of course! We want to learn all your tricks," Gwaine answered with a chuckle.
I doubt you would be able to, Gadiena found herself thinking. Those three have a trick that they likely want no one to find out.
Much like us,
Merlin pointed out.
###########################################################################
Now that there was a great possibility that his cousin's vision was about to come into fruition, Merlin decided it was best to gauge whether or not Marrok, Biclarel and Melion were truly on Camelot's side, or if there was perhaps something that could make them a potential threat to Arthur and to Camelot. He knew that Melion at least suspect both him and Gadiena of something, and Merlin needed to know how he could suspect anything at all.
There was a possibility that the three Knights were merely observant, but Merlin doubted that it was the case, especially after both he and Gadiena sensed something more than off about those Knights and given that Melion actually had the temerity to confront Gadiena practically in public, Merlin knew to take those three seriously.
While Gadiena conversed with Leon and Tristan, who had also decided to show up for once, Merlin plucked up his courage and approached the three new Knights of Camelot. As he approached, the three nobles immediately stood to attention.
"You sure you want to do this? The guys tend to show no mercy with these training sessions," Merlin stated casually.
"Thank you for your concern, Merlin," Marrok answered with a warm smile, "but we do want to do this. It will give us a chance to try and get to know everyone a little better."
"We live here now. We may as well put in some effort to assimilate properly and get used to everything and everyone," Biclarel added.
"Including Gwaine's chatter?" Merlin grinned.
"Yes, we have been hearing that can get quite irritating," Marrok chuckled. "We have noticed little of it. Admittedly, we have been mostly keeping to ourselves and not inserting ourselves where we have not been asked to join."
"The Knights will warm to you eventually," Merlin reassured easily. "If not off the battlefield, then certainly on."
Melion harrumphed at that, but didn't say anything else, earning himself another look from his two friends. Merlin frowned in confusion. "You do not agree, Sir Melion?"
"They will only tolerate us for the King's sake," came the blunt reply as the Knight started to remove his leather gloves from his hands. "We are the new blood, interlopers practically. They wouldn't want us to mess with their established circles. I have seen it enough times at my father's Court."
"People aren't as judgemental here," Merlin started to reassure. Then, suddenly, he got hit with a wave of warmth and he heard a humming and thrumming in his head. That meant only one thing: the presence of a magical entity – sentient or not, he did not know just yet. The warlock looked automatically in the direction the wave had come from and his eyes lay themselves on a ring on Melion's right hand.
The ring was a fine piece, as one would expect for a ring belonging to a nobleman. It was made of silver with some intricate detailing. Merlin could not tell what symbols or motifs they were but that was not what was drawing his attention. His eyes were on a white jewel and a red jewel, each set in the eye of what looked like a wolf. The warlock had no idea what kind of powers this ring possessed, but whatever it was there was some extremely potent magic embedded in those stones.
The Knights had noticed him study the piece, and Melion smirked a little. "Stunning craftsmanship, don't you think? It was created by one of the best silver smiths we know for my grandfather's coming off age," the young Knight informed proudly. "It was passed onto my father at the same age, and now it is mine."
"It is very beautiful," Merlin readily agreed. He swallowed a little. "Certainly not like any ring I have ever seen."
This was also true. Not even Arthur or Gwen had a ring that was comparable to this.
"Yes, the House of Tanas enjoy showing off their wealth," Biclarel spoke up, chuckling softly. "Mostly opting to put most of that wealth into jewellery or finery."
"As if yours doesn't!" Melion huffed.
"Not as much as your family, you have to admit," Marrok had to concur with Biclarel.
Before Melion could retort, Percival and Mordred approached, causing the three new Knights to compose themselves rather quickly. Merlin found himself smiling; it was actually rather adorable to see these three nobles wanting to fit in with the odd mixture of commoners and nobles that made up the Knights.
"Pairings have been made. Marrok, you're with me and Biclarel, you're with Mordred. Melion, you will be facing Gwaine, apparently," Percival informed with a wry smile.
Merlin could not resist snorting at that. "Typical Gwaine!"
"Quite," Mordred agreed with a soft smile.
"Why is that typical?" Melion wanted to know.
"Gwaine wants to see for yourself what your tricks are," Merlin explained. "He likes studying people up close and pushing their buttons, so just try and keep your head cool."
"I am sure I can manage that," Melion replied coolly.
"Melion," Biclarel sighed. "Merlin is just offering some helpful advice. Don't take it so personally."
The young Knight rolled his eyes as he put his leather gloves back on and unsheathed his sword. Gwaine was waving him over with a grin. "Come on, Sir Melion! Let us not stand here all day. One can never know when it starts raining, and training in the rain is awful, I can tell you!"
"Your friend has a rather big mouth," Mordred noted candidly as they watched Melion join Gwaine.
"Yes," Marrok readily agreed. "I do apologise for his rudeness. Melion often doesn't realise the impact of his actions or words on other people."
"Well, if he doesn't learn soon, the King might teach him that lesson," Percival warned. He then turned his attention onto Merlin. "Speaking of which, I don't think I have said this yet, Merlin, but I really am sorry for what I did. And for what I didn't do – of course, I don't believe you could ever harm Arthur and I wouldn't have just sat back and watched you die. I … I don't know why I just kept my mouth shut and did what I was told."
Merlin shrugged. "You're a Knight, Percival. It's what you're there for," Merlin almost winced at his own words but for once he wasn't going to be sorry for speaking his mind, no matter how much it may hurt.
Hurt did flash across Percival's face. "It is no excuse for not standing up for a friend. And you are my friend, Merlin, and a good one at that." The gentle giant sighed. "I will find a way to make it up to you."
"I know you will," Merlin replied softly, looking down at the ground for a moment to avoid making eye contact with anyone. He still was not used to getting an apology from anyone, and it was making him feel stupidly awkward.
Unfortunately for him, it wasn't just Percival who wanted to make their apologies.
"I am sorry too, Merlin," Mordred put in with a serious look in his eyes. "I should have said something – come to visit to make sure you were all right, comfortable even. What we all did in inexcusable; the Queen had not forbidden any of us from visiting you. That was on us."
"It is all right, Mordred," Merlin tried to sound as cool as he normally did with the Druid boy, but found that he couldn't muster the energy to do so.
"No, it isn't," Mordred insisted. "I too will make it up to you somehow."
No matter, what you say about this, it will not change my mind, Emrys, the Druid Knight added telepathically.
The warlock sighed. "Very well. I will not be able to stop you, anyway."
Mordred fully grinned at this, causing Merlin to flush when he noticed how bright it was.
Marrok and Biclarel had watched this in stunned silence and could still hardly believe what they had witnessed as they followed Percival and Mordred onto the training ground. Knights had apologised to a servant – Camelot really was a place where things were done very differently!
Then again, the Queen had been a commoner not too long ago. It shouldn't have surprised them all too much. This made Merlin grin to himself a little.
"What are you smiling about?"
Merlin was knocked back out of his head by his cousin, who was carrying two swords and a mischievous grin on her countenance. Merlin shrugged and answered brightly. "Just happy that my life at Camelot is as interesting as the kingdom itself is."
"You can say that again!" Gadiena chuckled as she held out one of the swords to him. "Come on. Let's show these knights that some commoners also know how to handle themselves in combat."
Merlin smirked as he took the sword. "Sounds like fun."
###########################################################################
Guinevere could hardly wait to meet with Morgana that evening. Indeed, the Queen found that she could barely get to sleep, but resisted the urge to toss and turn in her sleep in case it would wake the King. Guinevere did not want to have to pretend to reassure her foolish husband that everything was well and then find some excuse to leave the bedchambers without him becoming suspicious.
The Queen managed to slip out of her chambers and the castle, though shivered when the wind picked up and she could hear the howls of wolves in the distance. There had not been wolves near Camelot for a good number of years now, but Guinevere shoved it from her mind. There were more important matters to attend to.
As usual, the High Priestess was waiting by their usual tree, quietly wondering what it was that her puppet had to report this time.
Morgana forced herself to smile. "Well, my Lady, what news do you bring this time?"
"An envoy came to Court today," the Queen answered, shaking her head in disbelief. "Many believed it was perhaps one from Lord Godwin or from King Olaf, but as it turned out, the envoy was from the last person anyone expected: King Gorlagon."
This had Morgana's attention in seconds. The High Priestess paled quite considerably, her jaw clenching slightly. This could make her plans a whole lot more difficult. It would seem that they would need adapting, and quickly.
"And you are certain that it was an envoy from Rheged?" the High Priestess wanted to know.
"Absolutely. The envoy was dressed in Rhegedian colours," Guinevere answered obediently.
Morgana felt herself beginning to pace. "And what demands did King Gorlagon make of my dear brother?"
"That was left annoyingly vague," Guinevere responded with irritation embedded in her voice. "The King wishes to visit Camelot in order to discuss a formal alliance but further than that the envoy did not say."
"Of course he didn't," Morgana sneered. "Because King Gorlagon doesn't make a habit of telling anyone what his true intentions are until it is too late. What did Arthur say?"
"King Gorlagon and his retinue are welcome at Camelot," Guinevere scoffed. "Which means, the castle will play host to at least five hundred more guests and I will have no safe way in order to give you any updates."
"Fret not, Gwen, leave that to me," the High Priestess reassured. "What really concerns me is that now my plans have to be changed ever so slightly."
"Plans?" Guinevere repeated with a small frown. "What plans?"
Morgana smirked. "Everyone has their secrets, Gwen, you know this. Unfortunately for both the King and Queen of Rheged, I know theirs, especially the King's."
The Queen's brow furrowed further. "What secrets are they guarding?"
"You will know soon enough," Morgana promised. "I first have some work to do. If I have succeeded, I will let you know and send you further instructions on what you must do. If everything goes according to plan, Rheged will soon find itself without a king with an ally Queen as Regent."
The Queen of Camelot found herself smiling. "That should remove a potential problem from the chess board."
"Indeed," Morgana agreed silkily. "So, I will be in touch as soon as everything is prepared."
Guinevere nodded. She had to trust that her friend knew what she was doing, despite having some serious reservations about how much they could actually trust Gorlagon's wife could be turned to their cause. The Queen turned to return back to the castle. She did pause for a moment when she heard several twigs and branches snap. Guinevere turned around and saw that no one was there.
Pushing it from her mind, the Queen continued on her way.
Meanwhile, Morgana was trying not to curse her usual bad luck and prayed to the Triple Goddess that for once her plans would actually go smoothly. She could not rely on the idiocy of Alined, or Bayard or any of the other kings and queens to do this properly – besides, none of them had the particular requirements that Gorlagon did.
The sound of twigs snapping, rustling in the undergrowth and growling knocked Morgana back down to earth. She turned around carefully and her blue-green gaze met three pairs of glowing eyes. One pair was silver, another yellow and the last a startling amber. The creatures had their canines bared at her, and Morgana smirked a little.
"In your territory, am I?" she asked the wolves silkily.
The wolves growled again.
"I will take that as a yes," the High Priestess stated in amusement. "Don't worry. I was just leaving."
Within a blink of an eye, Morgana Pendragon did as she promised and disappeared.
###########################################################################
"You should have let me rip the witch's throat out!" Melion was still fuming by the time they had gotten back to their chambers, slamming the door shut behind him.
Marrok rounded on him immediately. "Melion, she would have turned you into a nice fur coat! We are in no position to take her on, not just the three of us."
"Would you two keep your bloody voices down?" Biclarel snarled as he washed his hands and face in what was left of their bath water. It was a bloody miracle that no patrols had met them and that no one had noticed that their hands and faces were covered in dirt. "We don't want to alert the rest of Camelot to what we are now do we?"
"Oh, I' m sorry? Am I the only one who is concerned that not only did we just let Morgana Pendragon slip between our jaws, but we also saw the Queen conspiring with that witch?" Melion demanded as he started pacing up and down while Marrok too began to wash himself. "I don't know about the two of you, but this is not something we can just simply ignore!"
"And how do you propose we explain what we were doing out there?" Biclarel retorted, shooting to his feet, eyes blazing. "What good excuse would we have to be out there, at night? Melion, we cannot breathe a word. Not only because it is the Queen's words against ours, but we all three have a secret to guard with our lives!"
"Biclarel is right. We have no tangible evidence that would make anyone listen to us," Marrok agreed. "No one is going to believe us."
Melion growled in frustration but he couldn't argue with that.
"Besides, you are walking on thin ice with some people already," Marrok continued. "You need to start curbing your instincts and your pride, Melion, before you get all three of us into trouble. What did you think you were doing, confronting Gadiena in such a way that Sir Tristan thought you were going to do something to her?"
Melion scoffed. "We all three know there is something off about Merlin and Gadiena! I wanted to see if I could get her scent, see if she has a wolf or any other creature. I didn't get anything, other than a faint humming in my head."
"It was foolish!" Biclarel scolded. "You are lucky those two are forgiving. I doubt Sir Tristan or any of their friends would be so lenient."
"We need to know if those two are a threat," Melion folded his arms petulantly.
"I may not have been here for long, but I can already tell you that Merlin and Gadiena are not the threat we need to worry about," Marrok stated. "I think what we saw tonight has shown us we have much bigger problems to worry about."
A tense silence descended on the three werewolf knights as they regarded each other.
"What do we do?" Melion eventually inquired.
"The only thing we can do," Marrok answered. "We watch, we wait, we keep an eye on the Queen and we make sure that the King is protected. No matter what."
"And what of Morgana's plan?" Melion pressed.
"We try and stop it, of course," Biclarel responded simply. "Before anyone gets hurt and there is a pretext for a war between Rheged and Camelot!"
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It would seem Gadiena's vision might be coming to fruition. Gorlagon is coming to Camelot, and for whatever reason, he and Accolon are part of Morgana's next scheme to remove potential allies. What is Morgana really up to and how do Gorlagon and Accolon each fit into it? Stay tuned to find out!
For those of you who are interested to know the story of Accolon, in the original Aruthuriana, he was one of the love interests of Morgana le Fay. However, I thought it would be fun to turn Accolon into a woman and into Gorlagon's queen since in the original story, the queen is never named. That is another aspect that I found interesting and annoying during my studies: Guinevere is one of the few Queens with an actual name. The rest are left nameless. As though they were without their own identity, which for the medieval era is fitting considering cultual context. To a modern audience, outdated and annoying but there you go.
Disclaimer: The Adventures of Merlin belong to the BBC. Gadiena, the werewolf Knights and Gorlagon are Arthurian characters of their own original medieval stories, thus are copyright free.
See you in the next chapter!
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